CME Group (CME) vs Nasdaq (NDAQ)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
CME Group (CME) has outperformed Nasdaq (NDAQ) over the past year, gaining 4.3% versus a gain of 2.8%. Over five years, NDAQ leads with a +36.5% price change compared with +30.5% for CME. CME Group is the larger company by market cap ($100.39 billion vs $52.17 billion), about 1.9 times the size, while Nasdaq is growing revenue faster (+11.6% vs +6.4%).
On valuation, Nasdaq trades at a lower forward P/E (20.0x vs 21.5x for CME Group). CME Group offers the higher dividend yield (1.83% vs 1.20%). CME Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 62.5% versus 21.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CME | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $279.18 | $93.33 |
| Market cap | $100.39B | $52.17B |
| 1-day change | +0.99% | +1.03% |
| YTD return | +1.23% | -4.90% |
| 1-year return | +4.34% | +2.78% |
| 5-year return | +30.46% | +36.49% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.68 | 27.21 |
| Forward P/E | 21.49 | 19.97 |
| EPS (TTM) | $11.79 | $3.43 |
| Dividend yield | 1.83% | 1.20% |
| Annual dividend | $5.10 | $1.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.52B | $8.26B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.37% | +11.65% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.07B | $1.79B |
| Gross margin | — | 63.53% |
| Operating margin | 64.86% | 28.21% |
| Net margin | 62.45% | 21.64% |
| 52-week high | $329.16 | $101.79 |
| 52-week low | $218.31 | $76.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.18% | -8.32% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +2.15% | +16.86% |
| Average volume | 2.04M | 3.28M |
| Shares outstanding | 359.58M | 558.98M |
| Employees | 3,875 | 9,630 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service | Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- CME Group is more profitable, keeping 62.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 21.6 cents for Nasdaq.
- Nasdaq grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.65% vs +6.37%).
About CME Group
CME stock →CME Group Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates contract markets for the trading of futures and options on futures contracts worldwide. It offers futures and options products based on interest rates, equity indexes, and foreign exchange; and agricultural, energy, and metals commodities, as well as fixed income and foreign currency trading services.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 3,875 employees
About Nasdaq
NDAQ stock →Nasdaq, Inc. operates as a technology company that serves capital markets and other industries in the United States and internationally.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 9,630 employees
CME vs NDAQ FAQ
Which is bigger, CME Group or Nasdaq?
CME Group (CME) is larger, with a market capitalization of $100.39B compared with $52.17B for Nasdaq (NDAQ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CME or NDAQ?
CME returned +4.34% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.78% for NDAQ (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CME or NDAQ?
CME has the lower trailing P/E at 23.7, versus 27.2 for NDAQ. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, CME Group or Nasdaq?
CME Group has the higher yield at 1.83%, compared with 1.20% for Nasdaq.
Are CME Group and Nasdaq in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.